E46 M3 track toy

[Monster]

yeah they can be rebuilt, and they also recommend just a service. When I got mine there weren't as many "clicks" as they said there should have been on the adjustment on one or two of them (which is never exact as they recommend you go full hard then X clicks back to make your settings so it doesn't really matter). However, I said I wanted the right number of click so back they went to Nitron and back they came with the correct number. They were new, but my point is that they can pretty much do anything as opposed to simply a full rebuild.

Are they the 3 way adjustables with remote reservoirs?

[Gedge]

They are called ntr sports. Previous generation to the r1s so I've been told

[Gedge]

So got the Nitrons, brakes and ARBs fitted and setup today by APT. The suspension and ARBs were noticeably lighter than stock, so some nice low down weight saved there.

The front wheels needed 6mm spacers to clear the BMW performance Brembo calipers. Ill probably upgrade to 12mm all round which will increase the track and give the car a better stance.

First impressions were that understeer was definitely reduced. Hard to say how much as I don't like to push it too hard on the road. Car was much, much flatter and turn in was really responsive. I think the Nitrons actually improved the ride quality over the stock suspension! I did have them set to full soft however. I will adjust and test dampening at Snetterton on the 23rd.

What I did noticed is the rear end is much livelier! This could be down to the dampening as mentioned above so I will have to have a fiddle.

Here is how it is sitting now



Happy with the height and I tested it on a bumpy B road and it didnt bottom out or rub. Perfect.

Also fitted a few other bits. BMC panel filter as the stock one was dirty



Coupled with some intake guides



Car definitely felt more eager and responsive on the throttle which is great.

Also fitted black grill and smoked sidelights. Goes nicely with the AC splitter.



Finally decided to buy some fixed buckets (some of you will recognise these!) to replace the Corba Daytona's as they currently sit far too high for me, so picked up some Sparco Pro 2000's. Very, very light.



I will get the seats fitted and then this is how the car will stay for its next outing at Snetterton on the 23rd August. Hopefully ill get some valuable feedback from the setup as its really hard to get proper feedback on the road.

Cheers!

[RX7]

Looking good Chris !
Fixed bucket seats look great in a car, shame they aren't red

[Gedge]

Cheers dude.

Red seats went with the handaaa mate this is function over form. Project, "use it in anger as much as possible!"

[Stuart]

A nice selection of well chosen mods Chris. They should combine to make one hell of a difference, and once you've got dialled in to the car, you'll fly.

[Gedge]

Thanks Stuart. Looking forward to getting it out there.

Next month I need to turn my attention to the bodywork. Get those corrosion spots treated and then look to the paintwork and getting the rest of those stickers off.

[Gedge]

Hi all.

Finally got round to removing all of the remaining decals today. Looks much cleaner and meaner. Looks proper evil from the front now with the smoked indicators and black grill.







So I still need to get these fitted before I lose them to the cat!



I like to be as low as possibly in my cars, and it also helps center of gravity, so ill be mounting on these:



I managed to adjust the dampening today and took the car out for a drive. I tested it at 6 clicks from full hard front and rear. Wow, what a difference with the Nitrons on! Turn in is really direct and precise, understeer is vastly reduced, almost gone and the balance is neutral and predictable. When the back end does step out you get plenty of warning and feedback and its really nice and easy to control. Loving it.

The car also feels very rapid since fitting the BMC filter and intake guides. Throttle response is instant on sport and it really pulls and pulls through the gears now. Impressive. Cant wait to try it out on track on the 23rd at Snetterton!

[Stuart]

Having worked on another one of these on Friday I was reminded about how good, how usable and how desirable these are as a thing to own (this was a stock car with a remapped bespoke ECU). Glad you're enjoying yours Chris. The straight six soundtrack takes some beating, and especially with decent induction

[Gedge]

Thanks Stuart. I'm much happier with the car on the nitrons. It feels much closer to the great handling the rex had. Power wise, its not far off either. Next Saturday will be the real test.